Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Detroit clergyman who took the name Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman, founder of the Shrine of the Black Madonna, and advocate of the program and philosophy of the Black Christian Nationalist movement. The collection has been divided into four series: Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Sermons, and Writings, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit, Michigan, Church Leaders, and the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna National Office.

The collection contains correspondence, sermons, and writings of Albert B. Cleage, Jr. (his name would later be changed to Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman); records of the shrine of the Black Madonna; papers of individuals within the church who assisted Cleage; and records of the National Office of the Shrine.

The collection has been divided into seven series: Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Sermons, and Writings, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit, Michigan, Church Leaders, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna National Office, Sound Recordings, Photographs, and Miscellaneous.

Detroit, Michigan clergyman, pastor at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, which later became Central Congregational Church. In the 1960s, Cleage and his congregation began restructuring the church's rituals, programs, and theology to conform to the Black Christian Nationalist philosophy. In 1970, the church was renamed the Shrine of the Black Madonna. The collection contains correspondence, sermons, and writings of Albert B. Cleage, Jr. (his name would later be changed to Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman); records of the shrine of the Black Madonna; papers of individuals within the church who assisted Cleage; and records of the National Office of the Shrine.

The collection has been divided into four series: Albert B. Cleage, Jr.: Correspondence, Sermons, and Writings, the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit, Michigan, Church Leaders, and the files of the Shrine of the Black Madonna National Office.

Bankole Thompson is a Michigan award-winning journalist and author who served as the senior editor of the Michigan Chronicle newspaper in Detroit from 2006 to 2015. He is known for his coverage of the 2008 presidential election and his one-on-one interviews with Barack Obama. The collection includes a selection of Thompson's writings and speeches, two books, biographical information, and episodes of Thompson's radio show.

The Bankole Thompson papers (0.25 linear feet and 18.42 GB) include writings and speeches, books, biographical information, episodes of his radio show, and information about the court case Edwards v The Detroit News and Thompson. The materials have been organized into one series, the Bankole Thompson papers.

Quarterly conference reports; record books with lists of members, baptisms, marriages, and related information; minute books of trustees and various church groups; scattered historical and background information and photographs.

The microfilmed records of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Detroit, Michigan include church record books and reports, minute books of church governing bodies and organizations, and a scattering of issues of the church newsletter, The Bethel Booster. The original materials include published historical and other background information about the church. There is also a scattering of published church materials, such as bulletins, newsletters, and a membership directory. Finally, the church allowed the library to copy selected photographs of church activities, groups, and personalities.

Organization of Detroit African American business and professional men and women; scattered records of the organization including newsletters, directories, and topical files of some of the group’s presidents.

The record group has been arranged into four series: Background/Informational; President's Files; National Business League, and Wallace Williams File. Included are scattered business and membership directories, newsletters, and annual meeting programs; records of organization presidents Homer D. Waterman, Joseph W. Williams, and Wallace Williams; and files relating to its relations with the National Business League, 1968-1970.

Charles A. Hill was African American pastor of Hartford Avenue Baptist Church (renamed Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in 1981) in Detroit, Michigan; collection includes church materials, scrapbooks and photographs, information collected about Hill and his activities by the Detroit Police Department, and family information.

The Charles A. Hill Family Papers are comprised of 2.7 linear feet and range in date from 1970 to 1981. The collection focuses primarily on the life and work of Charles A. Hill, Sr., although papers concerning other family members are also included. The collection is arranged into four series: Hartford Avenue Baptist Church, Charles A. Hill and Family, Red Squad Files, and Scrapbooks/Photographs.

Professor of history at Cornell University; recordings and transcripts of interviews conducted in the course of Salvatore's research into the life and career of C. L. Franklin, African American clergyman, long-time pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, and active participant in the civil rights movement.

The records of the C.L. Franklin Oral History Project, 1998-2002, consist of audiocassette recordings and typed transcripts of interviews conducted by Dr. Nick Salvatore as part of his research which resulted in publication of the book Singing in a Strange Land : C.L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America. Among the 47 interviewees were family members, parishioners in Franklin's church, ministerial colleagues from Detroit, and civil rights activists. Among the topics covered are personal recollections of Franklin, his preaching style, the role of gospel music in Franklin's ministry and his influence gospel music styles, and Franklin's role as civic and civil rights leader.

Web collection of websites created by various organizations and individuals whose focus is commerce and industry in the State of Michigan, archived by the Bentley Historical Library using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015.

The Web Archive of Michigan's Commerce and Industry collection contains archived websites created by various businesses and industry driven organizations of the State of Michigan. The websites have been archived by the Bentley Historical Library, using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015. Access to all websites archived by the Bentley Historical Library is available at: https://archive-it.org/organizations/934.

Web Archives include websites of corporations, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations who call the state of Michigan home. The collection is especially strong in documenting economic development efforts in Detroit and all of Michigan, historic businesses and industries, and distinguished individuals who belong to these communities.

The year that appears next to the website title in the contents list indicates the date that the website was first archived. Archived versions of the site from later dates may also be available.

Curtis E. Rodgers, an African American, served in the Detroit city government from 1962 until 1970, mostly in the Commission on Community Relations. He worked to advance the interests of African Americans in Detroit by improving education, advocating for equal housing policies, and hiring more blacks to work in municipal enterprises. The collection documents his activities and that of the various government agencies for which he worked.

The Curtis E. Rodgers collection is comprised of three series: Personal, Detroit Commission on Community Relations, and Visual Materials. and dates from 1966 to 1971 (with one item from 1953). The series includes minutes, reports, and other agenda materials. There are also speeches, press releases, studies and subject files pertaining to the Commission on Community Relations. Subjects include employment, housing, the police force, education, and building safety.

Social Service organization serving the Detroit African American community, affiliate of the National Urban League; includes minutes of the Board of Directors, correspondence and topical files of Executive Directors and Presidents, budgets and financial records, and papers concerning National Urban League conferences and Green Pastures Camp; also departmental files relating to community services, housing, vocational services, health and welfare, job development and employment, and education and youth incentives; and photographs.

The records of the Detroit Urban League include minutes of the Board of Directors, correspondence and topical files of Executive Directors and Presidents, budgets and financial records, and papers concerning National Urban League conferences and Green Pastures Camp; also departmental files relating to community services, housing, vocational services, health and welfare, job development and employment, and education and youth incentives. The records also include photographs of chapter activities, meetings, and ceremonies; photos of buildings and staff (notably executive directors, John Dancy and Francis Kornegay); also films.

Professor of African American History at Missouri State University and expert on the Detroit race riot of 1943 and race relations in Detroit during World War II. Oral history interviews and autobiographical information about Capeci.

The Dominic Capeci Detroit Oral History Project collection (27.64 GB) features oral history interviews Capeci conducted about the Detroit race riot of 1943, the Detroit race riot of 1967, and Detroit during World War II. It also includes autobiographical information about Capeci's life and his career as professor of African American History.

Newsletters and minutes of executive committee of the Dav-Joy-Lin-Dex Community Council; newsletters of area block clubs; files relating to her community and organizational involvement; published materials; and photographs.

The McCauley collection consists of the records of the Dav-Joy-Lin-Dex Community Council but including as well files documenting McCauley's other community activities. Of most importance in understanding the work of the Council are its News Bulletins which date from 1960 to 1989. In addition to neighborhood news, the bulletins included notes about city government, particularly as they related to this local neighborhood. The News Bulletins were also the place where McCauley informed the community about the Council's various petition drives.

As executive secretary of the Council, McCauley wanted her group to act as a clearinghouse of information about matters of neighborhood concern. Her collection reflects this interest. Besides material about the Council, McCauley also preserved records about the various block clubs that made up the Council. The great bulk of these relate to the Dexter-Elmhurst Advisory Board, but there are also newsletters for the Glynn Court Block Club and the Calvert Civic Block Club.

African American Detroit poet and librarian, and founder of Broadside Press in Detroit, Michigan which supported and published black and African American poets and authors. Poet laureate of Detroit, 1981. Materials consist of personal and business correspondence, topical files, photographs, drafts and publications, audio recordings, and film reels.

The papers document the personal and professional life of Dudley Randall as an independent African American poet and founder of the Broadside Press in Detroit, and span the years 1900-2002. Material includes drafts and publications of original works, correspondence, photographs, sound recordings on audiocassettes and audio reels, and films featuring Randall, his family, and poets connected to the Broadside Press. Series in the collection may have overlapping subjects, as original folder contents were maintained. Folders are arranged first by date, and then alphabetically by original title where applicable. The collection is divided into four series: Biographical (1900-2002), Broadside Press (1939-1999), Topical Files (1908-2002), and Writing (1933-1983).

Reverend Eddie K. Edwards (1936-2004) was a Christian preacher and community activist in Detroit, Michigan. In 1976, he founded the Joy of Jesus faith-based nonprofit organization in Detroit. This organization sought to help Detroit residents—primarily neighborhoods and families experiencing poverty—through a summer camp and other programs, like the Ravendale Area Revitalization Project (R.A.R.E.). He was married to Dr. Mary D. Edwards, who was involved in Joy of Jesus and who currently serves as an author, life coach, and minister. The collection includes ten digital recordings of interviews and television programs featuring Rev. Eddie K. Edwards, Joy of Jesus publications, biographical information about Rev. Edwards, as well as papers related to the ministry of his wife, Dr. Mary D. Edwards.

This collection documents the activism and ministry of Reverend Eddie K. Edwards and his wife, Dr. Mary D. Edwards. Manuscript materials are separated into two series documenting the work of both ministers.

Rev. Eddie Edwards' series contains Edwards's biographical information, letters received on the occasion of Rev. Edward's retirement, and memorial publications and articles. Of special interest is the 1996 publication "Re-Neighborhooding Revitalization Manual for the Re-Neighborhooding Detroit Program." The manual was based on the results of a survey conducted among the residents of a 38-block area of Ravendale community on the eastside of Detroit, near the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Also included are digital images of a Point of Light a ward, memorial for Rev. Edwards, and an "Others" Award from the Salvation Army.

Audio-visual materials include a documentary by broadcast journalist Mort Crim, an audio recording of an interview with Edwards by Evangelical radio host Al Kresta in "A Vision for our Detroit", a video recording of a sermon delivered by Edwards at the Second Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Detroit, a video recording of the first annual Friends of Joy of Jesus Banquet in 1991, an episode from the Christian Television Network (CTN Live!) featuring Edwards, a Detroit Public TV program entitled "A Neighborhood Redeemed", a Sue Marx film in which Edwards is presented the 1991 Winning Ways Award, and a few videos made by the church including an interview with Caroline Thomas and Bob Ivory, a "New Child Development Plan" as described by Edwards, and a program highlighting Joy of Jesus' plan for solving urban decay presented in "A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out".

Dr. Mary Edwards' series consists largely of her works published through Leaves of Gold consultancy, a publishing consultancy started by Dr. Edwards in 2007. Among those publications are her autobiography, meditations and ministry materials, and collections of prose and poetry tied to her Widows with Wisdom work. Her papers also include a collection of her writings that document the history of Joy of Jesus Ministries. Of special interest is the description of the 52-questions needs assessment survey that was prepared and conducted by Dr. Edwards. This project resulted in the 1996 "Re-Neighborhooding Revitalization Manual."

Collector of materials documenting Michigan Polish-American individuals and organizations, especially in Detroit and Hamtramck. Included are records of the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners, the Polish Army Veterans Association, and the Polish Sea League. The collection also contains photographs from various Polish photography studios in Detroit and Michigan, including portraits and topical photographs.

The Edward Martin collection consists of papers and photographs, accumulated from various sources, relate to Detroit organizations and individuals. Except for a small series of Detroit Board of Water Commissioners documents, the collection concerns Michigan's Polish-American community and the activities of Polish-American organization, including the Polish Army Veterans Association and the Polish Sea League. Much of the collection consists of photographic portraits from studios catering to the Polish-American community in Detroit and Hamtramck.

The collection consists of seven series: Detroit Board of Water Commissioners, Polish Army Veterans Association, Polish Sea League, Printed Polish Materials, Waclaw S. Jakubowski papers, Miscellaneous, and Photographs.

Web collection of websites created by various ethnic and cultural communities of the State of Michigan, archived by the Bentley Historical Library using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015.

The Web Archive of Michigan's Ethnic and Cultural Communities collection contains archived websites created by various ethnic and cultural communities of the State of Michigan. The websites have been archived by the Bentley Historical Library, using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015. Access to all websites archived by the Bentley Historical Library is available at: https://archive-it.org/organizations/934.

Web Archives include websites of African American, Arab American, Native American, Asian American and other ethnic communities and organizations who call the state of Michigan home. The collection is especially strong in documenting African American, Arab American, and Native American communities, business, religious, cultural and civil rights organizations, as well as distinguished individuals who belong to these communities.

The year that appears next to the website title in the contents list indicates the date that the website was first archived. Archived versions of the site from later dates may also be available.

Managing editor of the Detroit Free Press, president of the Michigan Press Association, 1969, and national treasurer of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism society. Activities and topical files; speeches; papers concerning work on Cooley High School Community Council, Detroit, Michigan, files concerning Detroit race relations and the Detroit riot of 1967; papers relating to Detroit Press Club; and photographs.

The Frank Angelo papers document his career in journalism, as editor of the Detroit Free Press, his professional and community activities. The Angelo papers came to the library in several accession which have been integrated in this description.

Church documents and personal papers of Dr. Frederick G. Sampson II, pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of Detroit Mich., noted lecturer and keynote speaker, and member of various commissions and boards dedicated to human rights, community outreach, and community education.

The Frederick G. Sampson collection includes personal and church related papers that document his professional work and church activities from 1970 until his death in 2001. In addition, there is some information about the Foundation established in his name. The papers are arranged in the following series: Pastoral Career and Personal Papers.

Papers of Mattie (Martha) Bell Hudson Gordon, Willie Lee Gordon, and their son, William Hal Gordon, African American family that came to Detroit from Georgia and settled in Highland Park.

Primarily correspondence, including some letters from family in Georgia, but mostly letters (1945-1946) from William Hal Gordon to his parents about his experiences in the military, especially as a Black person and as a musician; includes some letters written to William by his mother, and some miscellaneous personal items.

African-American Baptist congregation located in Detroit, MI.; also called Shiloh Baptist Church. The record group includes a church history, celebratory and obsequy programs, clippings, and notebooks of materials accumulated during the pastorates of R. B. James, Solomon David Ross, William H. Crews, and Harold Knox; also bulletins of church services.

The Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church records includes a church history, celebratory and obsequy programs, clippings, and notebooks of materials accumulated during the pastorates of R. B. James, Solomon David Ross, William H. Crews, and Harold Knox; also bulletins of church services. The record group consists of four series: Church Publications, History, Topical File, and Miscellaneous Records.

Detroit, Michigan, African American church. Files concern church governance and policies; church committees and other organizations; and church events, celebrations, and services; also include publications and topical files with information on pastors Charles Hill and Charles Adams.

The records of Hartford Baptist Memorial Church are arranged in seven series: Church Governance and Policies, Committees and Other Church Organizations, Events and Celebrations, Services, Topical Files, Publications and Miscellaneous. Covering the years 1922 to the present, the records document the ongoing work of the church. The bulk of the records date from the 1970s, with sparse documentation for the years 1930 to 1959.

Executive director of the Detroit Urban League. Correspondence, scrapbook, photographs, and miscellanea concerning personal matters, the work of the Urban League, and the concerns of the black community of Detroit.

The collection consists of personal correspondence, a scrapbook documenting in part his career as executive director of the Detroit Urban League, and scattered photographs. There is also the transcript of an oral history interview of John Dancy made in 1964.

Papers of Josh Mack, an African American education specialist, civic leader, and former Detroit Board of Education member. The collection includes biographical materials, articles and press releases, correspondence (including some from former Michigan politicians), curriculum guidelines from the Wayne County Attention Centers, a small amount of photographs, an audio recording of a Testimonial event, a digital file comprising of several television interviews and news clips, and other collected materials pertaining to Mack's professional career and civic duties.

The collection primarily focuses on Mack's tenure as an education specialist, Detroit Board of Education member, and as a civic leader, particularly in Detroit's North End neighborhood.

Records include biographical materials, articles and press releases about Mack's professional career and civic activities, correspondence, writings, curriculum materials --primarily from Mack's tenure as an administrative coordinator with the Wayne County Attention Centers,--and collected items pertaining to Mack's professional activities and his interest in education, job training, and counseling services for minorities. Also included several digital news clips and interviews.

Detroit, Mich. elementary school. Scrapbooks, photographs, miscellaneous reports.

Scrapbooks, class photo albums, and miscellaneous reports relating to the school.

Detroit, Michigan civic leader, member and officer of the National Housewives' League of America, chairwoman of the Housewives' League of Detroit. Materials relating to Dessaw's participation and leadership of the National Housewives League.

Correspondence, reports, minutes, and other materials relating to her participation and leadership of the National Housewives League.

Marjorie Bradfield was the first African American librarian in Detroit, working for the Detroit Public Library and as head librarian for Detroit Public Schools. Horace Bradfield was an African American Physician at Providence and Hutzel hospitals, and out of offices on East Grand Boulevard in Detroit. The collection contains Marjorie Bradfield's autobiography, audio recordings of interviews with Horace Bradfield, and photographs of the Bradfields.

The Marjorie and Horace Bradfield papers consists of autobiographical material and photographs.

In her autobiography, Marjorie Bradfield describes her first library jobs, and the events that led her to the Detroit Public Library. It highlights Bradfield's professional accomplishments, as well as challenges she faced as an African American woman in the library field. The autobiography includes an appendix with citations of essays and articles written by Bradfield.

Also contained within the collection are recordings of a 1978 interview with Horace Bradfield, facilitated by his daughter, Trudy Bradfield Taliaferro. The first part of the interview, Bradfield discusses his time as a student at the University of Michigan between 1931 and 1935. Throughout the interview, Bradfield describes his experience as an African American student at the University of Michigan during the 1930s. The second part of the interview covers his struggles finding a job as an African American physician in Detroit following his graduation in 1935.

The collection includes a small number of photographs in the collection, primarily portraits of the Bradfields, and a photograph from their wedding day in 1938. One of these photographs is available online as a digital file.

Ramon S. Regan was a Detroit, Mich. lawyer. He was an active member of the Barton-McFarlane Neighborhood Association of Barton-McFarland, which is a historically Black neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. The majority of the materials are related to the Barton-McFarlane Neighborhood Association, of which Regan was a member of the Executive Board. The collection also includes a photograph of the Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Company 661 (Luzerne, Mich.); the connection between Ramon S. Regan and the Civilian Conservation Corps is unknown.

The majority of materials in the Ramon S. Regan collection are related to the Barton-McFarlane Neighborhood Association, located in the historically Black Barton-McFarland neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. The Barton-McFarlane Neighborhood Association was founded in 1964, but most records present are from 1980 to the early 2000s.

An important issue to the association was related to the Coalition on Temporary Shelter (hereafter COTS), with most of the materials dated 2000-2004. Some issues related to COTS dealt with transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness and housing for people with disabilities.

Records types included in this collection are as follows: correspondence related thee Assocation, member registration papers (including family names and addresses), Executive Board meeting minutes, newsletters, financial records of the organization (including grant information), land deeds, flyers, memos, clippings, and a small number of photographs. The collection also includes a photograph of the Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.). Company 661 (Luzerne, Mich.), but the connection of the Civilian Conservation Corps to Regan is unknown.

To preserve original order, most folder titles were retained when rehousing material; this being said, there many be additional related topical material in the "various organizatoinal materials" section.

Web collection of websites created by various religious communities of the State of Michigan, archived by the Bentley Historical Library using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015.

The Web Archive of Michigan's Religious Communities collection contains archived websites created by various religious communities and institutions of the State of Michigan. The websites have been archived by the Bentley Historical Library, using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015. Access to all websites archived by the Bentley Historical Library is available at: https://archive-it.org/organizations/934.

Web Archives include websites of churches, mosques, religious community centers and educational institutions who call the state of Michigan home. The collection is especially strong in documenting African American, Arab American, and Native American communities, business, religious, cultural and civil rights organizations, as well as distinguished individuals who belong to these communities.

The year that appears next to the website title in the contents list indicates the date that the website was first archived. Archived versions of the site from later dates may also be available.

Ruth Ellis of Detroit, Michigan was well known in the Gay community as the oldest known African American Lesbian. She was a business woman, owned a printing company, and held social gatherings at her home at a time when there were few opportunities for Gay African Americans to gather. During the last twenty years of her life she was active in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community and in the Senior Citizens movement. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, and publications.

The Ruth Ellis collection contains correspondence, photographs, and publications related to Ms. Ellis's life and her activities in the Gay and Lesbian community. The papers are arranged in the following series: Papers, Correspondence, and Events; Photographs; and Miscellaneous Materials.

Web collection of websites created by various organizations and individuals whose focus is on social justice and equality in the State of Michigan, archived by the Bentley Historical Library using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015.

The Web Archive of Michigan's Social Justice collection contains archived websites created by various organizations and individuals committed to serving social justice in the State of Michigan. The websites have been archived by the Bentley Historical Library, using the California Digital Library Web Archiving Service crawler from 2010-2015 and the Archive-It web archiving service beginning in 2015. Access to all websites archived by the Bentley Historical Library is available at: https://archive-it.org/organizations/934.

Web Archives include websites of, social justice media, organizations, and activists who call the state of Michigan home. The collection is especially strong in documenting organizations that represent ethnic and marginalized communities in Michigan.

The year that appears next to the website title in the contents list indicates the date that the website was first archived. Archived versions of the site from later dates may also be available.

Correspondence, administrative files, Sunday bulletins, and topical files relating to the activities of the church and its pastors, most notably William Hilliard and William C. Ardrey.

The records of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church have been arranged into five series: Administrative, Topical Files, Correspondence, Photographs, and Sunday Bulletins.

A non-profit organization formed in 1992 by Julia T. Richie. The Foundation was created to empower children and young adults through the implementation, support, resources, and opportunities in employment, education, and enrichment. The record group includes administrative records, records pertaining to the organization's affiliates and partnerships with Detroit Metropolitan area charter and college preparatory schools, material relating to events and programs, as well as publications and photographs.

The records of The YES Foundation® document the organizational structure, affiliations, and programs of the Foundation between 1992 and 2017. The collection is comprised of administrative files, Board of Directors records, program evaluations, marketing material, year-end financial reports, grant applications, employee and volunteer meeting material, employee reference guides, materials related to various events and programs, tribute videos, student profiles, and educational course outlines and evaluations. Records include photographs and video recordings of ceremonies.

Branch of the YMCA; Annual reports, clippings, correspondence, financial records, minutes of meetings, photographs, press releases, published materials, rosters, and scrapbooks; also includes collected branch records for the Railroad branch, 1877-1890, and the Downtown branch, 1890-1909; and publication, Detroit Young Men, 1911-1922.

The records of the Metropolitan Offices of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit consist of annual reports, correspondence, financial materials, minutes (Secretary's records), photographs, published brochures and pamphlets, and scrapbooks. The materials document, somewhat unevenly, the efforts of the YMCA to tend to the spiritual, physical, and social needs of the young men in Detroit. The strengths of this record group are in its minutes (Secretary's records) and photographs, each of which provides detailed and telling insight into the development of Detroit and the YMCA from the nineteenth century to 2006. The scrapbooks created by the YMCA, 1936-1973, are also of interest in that they accurately reflect all newspaper coverage of YMCA events and activities for this decade.

The records have been arranged in four series: Administration, Secretary's Records, Visual Materials, and Scrapbooks.